The last two osprey chicks die in Urdaibai.
Monday, 21 June 2021 10:28 |
Last Friday´s rainstorm probably brought on the death of the two chicks. At 20 days old,they were at the most vulnerable stage in their development. They were already quite large and this made it difficult for their mother to cover them. In addition to this, they still had no feathers. They acquire the plumage which protects them from the rain at approximately 30 days. The death of osprey chicks is not unusual in the natural world. About 50% of them die in their first weeks of life, with the third week being the most critical. The female has not had chicks before and this also influences reproductive success. We should consider the death of the chicks as something natural and part of the life cycle. What is truly surprising is that we have witnessed this natural phenomenon livefrom our homes. Thousands of people were saddened by this event yesterday but Roy and Landa gave us all a life lesson. They removed the remains of the chicks, continued to fix the nest and even copulated. We are aware that it is too late for a second brood. However, this couple could surprise us! |